2008 Ford Taurus, 2007 Acura MDX: Top Safety Picks

The newly restyled and renamed Ford Taurus makes an impressive appearance on the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick list, joined by the all-new Acura MDX SUV. The award goes to vehicles that pass front and side crash tests with the insurance industry group’s top rating, as well as providing additional safety features including stability control.

Both car companies had to improve their vehicles to earn the important nod. The MDX had to improve its head restraints while the Taurus had to add stability control. It is now an option, while in the previous model, named the Five Hundred, it was not offered at all. 

Ford, Honda Get Top Crash Test Scores (Detroit News)

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Ford May Rename Five Hundred ... Taurus

Reports coming out today, the day before the Chicago Auto Show kicks off its media days, are saying Ford may rename the slow-selling Five Hundred sedan “Taurus.” Taurus, of course, was the name of the sedan that revitalized Ford in the 1980s.

We simply can’t believe Ford would do this, but that could be because we remember the huge amount of time and effort the company put into distinguishing the Five Hundred and Fusion sedans, purposely splitting the Taurus audience with the two. If either sedan were a true Taurus scion it would be the Fusion, not the Five Hundred. Of course, the Fusion is selling well while the Five Hundred needs all the help it can get, even after its recent face-lift we saw in Detroit.

What do you think? Is it too little too late? Should Ford just wait until there’s a completely new sedan to name Taurus? Are you sticking with a Camry or Accord and don't care?

[Ford Set to Rename Five Hundred Sedan, AOL Money]

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2007 Detroit Auto Show: 2008 Ford Five Hundred

2007 Detroit Auto Show: 2008 Ford Five Hundred

Ford’s poorly received Five Hundred sedan gets a face-lift and much-needed new engine and transmission for 2008. Unfortunately, it also retains a similar — and quite lackluster — interior compared to the previous model. You’ll immediately notice the new grille, which mirrors both the Ford Fusion sedan and Edge SUV. It’s well done, but the overall redesign is far less significant than the ‘08 Focus.

Under the hood, the front-wheel-drive Five Hundred finally packs a worthy punch with a 3.5-liter V-6 pumping out 260 hp, paired with a six-speed automatic that replaces the CVT in the outgoing model.

By addressing just two of the car’s three glaring faults, Ford has almost done right by the Five Hundred, but we’re not sure if it’s enough to get the job done.